Department of Human Services A Preliminary Review of the Social, Economic & Health Effects Attributed to Khat Chewing of Somali Community in Melbourne Said Aden (Public Health Fellow -Victorian Public Health Training Scheme-Department of Human Services) Malina Stankovska (Project Supervisor)--VTPU Steven Klimidis-VTPU Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit hosted the project.
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Department of Human Services A Preliminary Review of the Social, Economic & Health Effects Attributed to Khat Chewing of Somali Community in Melbourne.
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Department of Human Services
A Preliminary Review of the Social, Economic & Health Effects Attributed to Khat Chewing of Somali Community in Melbourne
Said Aden (Public Health Fellow -Victorian Public Health Training Scheme-Department of Human Services)Malina Stankovska (Project Supervisor)--VTPUSteven Klimidis-VTPUVictorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit hosted the project.
Purpose of the presentation :
To discuss the results of a survey conducted in Victoria about the prevalence of Khat useSocial and health problem associated with its useInternational literature Khat plant
Methodology
Key informant interview was used:
Forty key informants were selected from Somali community on the basis of :
Their ability to contact a large number of people from the community
Their involvement and knowledge of Somali community issues.
The survey included:
People of different ages, educational
and occupational backgrounds. 20 males and 20 females were
interviewed.
The main roles of the key informants in the community were:
Advocacy
Working with local community organisations
Providing advice
Employment/Welfare services
Interpreting services
Occupation of informants
occupation Frequency Percentage %Community Development Workers 7 17.5Interpreters 7 17.5Youth workers 1 2.5Health promotion 3 7.5Family Day Care Workers 2 5Unemployed/Retired 4 10Small Business 4 10Health Officer 1 2.5Students 11 27.5
Extensive use of Khat
How extensive is Khat use in your community?
8o% of the respondents said that many people among the Somali community use Khat
freq %I don’t know
1 2.5
A few people use it
7 17.5
Many people use it
32 80
Total 40 100
Frequency of Khat use.
People who use Khat, how frequent is their use generally? Frequency Percent I don't know 2 5.0 Once per month 1 2.5 Once per fortnight 3 7.5 Once per week 18 45.0
Several times per week10 25.0 Daily 6 15.0
Total 40 100.0
Majority of the respondents said that Khat is used once per week.
Gender of Khat users
In your view, among the Khat users what proportion would be male and female? Frequency Percent
I don't know 1 2.5 Mainly male 19 47.5 More males than females 19 47.5 Equal proportion of males and females 1 2.5 Total 40 100.00
Khat use is more frequent among the males.
How concerned are you about the age groups using Khat?
05
10152025303540
Age groups
Fre
q.o
f co
ncern
I don't know
Not concerned
Little concerned
Very concerned
What proportion of Khat users and their families are affected financially by its use?
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Khat usersaffected
financially
Minimal or not at all
Substantial ormoderate
35 respondents out of 40 said that Khat users are affected financially.
What do Khat users say about the benefits of using Khat ? (Benefits).
Benefits of using Khat (from users’ perspective)
YES (Frequency)
No (Frequency)
Personal Benefits 31 (77.5%) 9 (22.5%)
Interpersonal Benefits
27 (67.5%) 13 (32.5%)
Health Benefits 15 (37.5) 25 (62.5%)
No benefits 7 (17.5%) 33 (82.5%)
Others 3 (7.5%) 37 (92.5%)
What do you think are the benefits of using Khat?
Benefits of Khat (Key informants' perspective)
Yes
Frequency/Percentage
No
Frequency)
Personal benefits 14 (35%) 26 (65%)Interpersonal Benefits
12 (30%) 28 (70%)
Health Benefits 12 (30%) 28 (70%)
No Benefits 20 (50%) 20 (50%)Others 4 (10%) 36 (90%)
What do Khat users say are the negative effects of using Khat?
Key informantsMalina Stankovska, A/Professor Harry Minas, Steven Klimidis (VTPU) Victorian Public Health Training Scheme (Department of Human Services)